You are reading a single comment by @BikerDude24 and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@BikerDude24
As a commuter for some time through some awful city traffic in an area that is currently no1 for car accidents in the UK (never hit) my road rules as follows:
Assume the car driver has not seen you at all times
If you approach a line of traffic at lights make it REALLY obvious you are there. I always have flashing lights on regardless of sun, rain, snow what ever. They are not for me to see, but to be seen. A couple of powerful white ones with a regular pulse resemble a Police car behind (in winter they flash off road signs) and you are instantly noticed.
When you approach the car at the front of the line, check the lights in the opposite direction, are they about to change???
If so, wait in front of the 2nd car and point you flashing lights into the wing mirror of the 1st car. They both now know you are there.
If not pull in front of the 1st car by at least a bike length and look at the drivers face (normally they are looking right at the lights preparing to turn left – if you are lucky they indicate) – and give the bell a ting. (IF the lights have just hit red I will often approach on the RH side of the car and pull across the front of him so he has to see me) – this will annoy the driver – but better that than running you down.
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]In open traffic don’t hug the kerb, get yer bum 1/3 into the road. If you leave a gap that a car might just squeeze through, they will try and clip you. If you hog a narrow city road for a little while and force them to hold back it’s safer for you, when the road widens you can then edge across and let them through. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Rule of thumb with trucks is keep away, always stay behind them. They can hit you and never even know.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]My thoughts are it’s my life in danger so I put myself in control of the road.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
Assume the car driver has not seen you at all times
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]